Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

OPINION

Letters: County cuts ICE off at knees

TexNewMex
Published 11:49 a.m. MT April 14, 2017

CLOSE

Buy Photo

John Towensend, who along with his wife and others at the county commissioners meeting who opposed the resolution by County Commissioner Ramon Gonzalez, that would opposed the ICE Raids in the county. The resolution passed 4-, Tuesday, February 28, 2017.(Photo: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)Buy Photo

The Doña Ana County Commission erred in approving the resolution opposing ICE raids.

Ben Rawson was the only reasonable commissioner, voting against it because it even opposed lawful raids for violent criminals. John Vasquez was almost there, but alas the commission could not wait. I believe that voting in favor of the resolution doesn’t square with the County Code of Ethics; put them side by side and it’s clear. Perhaps better review should be provided to the commissioners on resolutions that directly contradict their responsibilities of public office.

Even though it was only a resolution, words have consequences; there are people in this county who have relatives who work for ICE, perhaps some of the school kids who were in attendance at that commission meeting. Ultimately they and all law-abiding county residents were chopped off at the knees by this commission. But this is par for the course for our county, if you refer to the latest ICE Weekly Declined Detainer Outcome report (through Feb 10), you will find that all county jails in New Mexico do not honor lawful detainers. Disgusting.

The irony in all this is that the previous president (social justice warrior!) did nothing in eight years to fix immigration law, even with a filibuster-proof majority. He left the “Dreamers” and “undocumented” flapping in the wind. And now this resolution? The word hypocrite comes to mind.

In closing, I would remind the commissioners whose dollars built our grand county complex and commission chambers. Those would be the law-abiding real estate owners in this county whose safety now takes a backseat to known violent criminals.

Richard Reynaud,

Las Cruces

We all could learn from Hamtramck, Michigan

As the fear of certain immigrants and “others” continues, let me share some stories of immigrants in Hamtramck, Michigan. Hamtramck has the largest population of Yemeni Muslims in the country, the second-largest Bengali Muslim group; a significant number of Bosnian Muslims with a dwindling number of Poles and Ukrainians and 10-15 percent African-Americans. There’s a Catholic church across from a mosque. Polish pastry shops are side-by-side with Bengali clothing stores and many Yemeni restaurants dot the city.

When I read in 2002 that African-American Hamtramck High students were causing trouble, I asked the Bengali captain of the cross-country team I was coaching about the report. “Doc,” said Mustafa, “we have no problem with those guys who we’ve been going to school with for years!” A Macedonian teaching colleague once told me Bosnians “…are more European than Muslim…” How else to explain Bosnian high school girls arguing with their Yemeni co-religionists: “Where is it written in the Koran that women have to wear the hajib? Isn’t that cultural?”

I’ll close by recommending the NPR program, “Our Land” wherein Melissa Block reported on “Hamtramck: An Evolving city of Immigrants,” www.npr.org/series/512460254/our-land. A Polish Catholic priest says he loves trying the interesting fruits he’s never seen before and he’s a big fan of hummus. A trio of Yemeni young men admits they love the Polish delicacy, paczki, a custard filled doughnut, a Hamtramck tradition. One of them is heard explaining why his father put an “I Voted!” sticker on the refrigerator:” If he finds out one of us didn’t vote, he’s furious. You guys would not believe how proud they are to have the rights…” Another friend concludes: “I wish there was a mini-Hamtramck in every state!”

Dr. John J. Mc Caugney,

Las Cruces

Thanks to those who supported Kitty Glitter

Project Save A Kitten would like to thank the Las Cruces community for coming out on March 17-18 to our second annual Kitty Glitter jewelry sale. Kitty Glitter raised approximately $6,500, to be distributed to local nonprofit organizations that spay, neuter and adopt out rescued cats and kittens.

Kitty Glitter couldn’t happen without the generosity of many people. We appreciate those who came out and purchased jewelry, but also those who donated jewelry. (Thank you to Better Life Pet Foods, which collects jewelry for us year round.) We are grateful to Paula Voris for the use of the Griggs & Reymond Event House, as well as to Austin’s Fine Jewelry, the Cutter Gallery, and Silver Assets for helping us consign and price the exceptional pieces we received. Of course, many thanks to the Las Cruces Sun-News for helping spread the word.

Cats are wonderful companions! You can adopt from the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley, Cat’s Meow Adoption Center, Broken Promises SW, ACTion Programs for Animals, or the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico.

Finally, a reminder to please keep your kitty inside! Cats tangle with coyotes, cars and skunks … and birds and lizards and little critters tangle with cats. Let’s keep them all apart.